Verizon changing the data plan pricing for their feature phones

As you may remember, last year Verizon imposed mandatory data plans on all of their 3G feature phones, which was $9.99 for 25MB of data per month, or $29.99 for unlimited data. This didn't go over well with customers, and most feature phones don't have a full web browser, and you'd be paying a minimum of $120 a year for data that would most likely never be used. Then a few months later in October, Verizon reversed themselves (probably due to poor sales of feature phones) and no longer required data packages for those devices. If you then did happen to use data, you would be billed a pay-as-you-go rate of $1.99 per MB, or could get a 150MB data package for $15 a month, or unlimited data for $30.

Now one of our tipsters has sent us the image below of what the new data plan will be for feature phones. It appears that the $15 for 150MB plan will be replace with one costing $10, but will only include 75MB. If you go over your 75MB, you'll then automatically be billed $10 for another 75MB. Even though you will be saving $5 a month on this new plan, the price-per-MB is actually more at 13 cents, where the older plan was running 10 cents per MB. Current customer can choose to keep the older 150MB $15 plan, but soon new customers will only have the option of the pay-as-you-go $1.99 per MB, $10 for 75 MB, or $30 for unlimited. 3G Smartphones remain unchanged requiring the $30 unlimited data plan.

If you have some interesting info that you'd like to share with us, feel free to Tip Us!

Price increase with Verizon? Go figure. They have a great network but that's one reason I was glad to leave them, nickel & dime the customers. If their network is so prepared for high data traffic why don't they prove it by letting customers have more data, other than unlimited?

13.XxVerbalxX (unregistered)

oh they want the $15, and a shitty rep will put them on it. i tell them on a droid no chance will that cover them. bb, maybe... i think i only averaged about 220mb/mo on my storm 1. then again it was a storm 1.....

39.phonegenius (unregistered)

How is it a joke verizons network is limited to 1mbps on all there 3g phone and LTE runs on a seperate frequency in which no verizon phone has currently, Vibrant specs tops off at 7mbps allowed in 3g frequency so 5mps is more than accurate on vibrant or even on there new motocliq 2 which tops of at 10mbps if there was such a frequency available 4g is considered higher than 14mbps which is the mytouch 4g and the G2, not saying thats what they get in a speed test but thats what there capable of. Verizon is catching up with there technology while sprint and tmobile push the standards so people like you dont start b*tching or crying that you pay too much when your buddy with the EVO or MT4G are leaving your phone to paperweight with higher monthly bills. The joke is on you for having half a brain to make statements out your A$$.. GOoD Day to you.

good eye...if you look at the data packages in the current brochure, you will notice in similarly tiny print that the $15 150mb for smartphones is a "promotional" offer...it was only a matter of time before they went back to 30 or nothing on smartphones....

"As you may remember, last year Verizon imposed mandatory data plans on all of their 3G feature phones, which was $9.99 for 25MB of data per month, or $29.99 for unlimited data."

First of all it was not all feature phones. it was only a select few including only the LG phones other than the 5500. Second this isnt really a big deal. If you want internet on your phone, GET A SMART PHONE: in which case you will want unlimited data. This $10 plan is for feature phones. how much internet could you possibly want to do on one? And if you do, the email portion is still unlimited and things like occasionally checking facebook or searching google wont hurt you. yet once again, if you want a true internet expierence, just get a smartphone and none of this applys to you.

Why would someone give you a thumbs down for that? Who is against unlimited data? Eventually Verizon is going to have to offer it too. Their commercials tease people with Netflix, but you can only watch a few seconds a day at 75Mb and a few minutes/day at 5Gb. When people start using their iPhone to be a hot-spot, and end up with a $1100 bill, the FCC will get after them. Advertising Netflix, when you don't really offer it is 'consumer fraud.' Streaming a movie a day is about 90Gb/mo. Video chats, GPS, streaming music, and web surfing, will add even more Gb. As phones add HTML out, they better offer bigger data plans.

Techno, did you actually read this post? Or did your hatred for Verizon cause you to see what you wanted to see? WHAT THE HELL, PEOPLE??? The post clearly states that Verizon is changing their pricing for FEATURE PHONES. Let me write it in big, colorful crayon .... FEATURE ... PHONES..... You talk about viewing Netflix videos for a few seconds. On a FEATURE PHONE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? As it also clearly states in the post, ".... there are no changes to Smartphone data pricing...." Exactly WHAT are some of you looking at? Hell, I don't mind paying $10 for 75MB of data on a feature, because the data transfer on their browsers are minimal. Even when they had the 25MB limit on the old plan, you could still browse on, say, an enV3 to roughly 600 different websites and still wouldn't burn thru 20 Megabytes. Their browsers aren't that data intensive. It only gets used up faster when you are downloading games and tons of ringtones. And email is still UNLIMITED. AT&T is still offering LIMITED PLANS ONLY. Techno, your post is poorly thought-thru. It's as if your brain just decided to erase facts for the sake of creating a meaningless argument. Again, the iPhone, since it's a smartphone, NOT A FEATURE PHONE, will be offered the $30 and $15 plans ... just as PhoneArena noted.

All of this is well and good I guess but what about 4G phones. They say unlimited data on all 3G phone will remain at $30. I am assuming that all new high end smartphones are going to be 4G from now on. That's great but I'm not in a 4G area but plan on upgrading when the new 4G phones hit the shelves. Has anyone heard how much extra 4G will cost or is it going to be $30 for 4G also?

45.Galaxy fan (unregistered)

46.the melzer (unregistered)

I for one DO NOT want a data plan!! I want a phone to talk to people and maybe take pictures of the guy who hit me with his car, and That's all!! I don't use my phone to listen to music, play games, check email, go online, text, watch videos or anything like that. I also do not want nor do I plan of paying for any type of data plan. I'll go to pay as you go and get off Verizon-who I've had for at least 12 years. It would be nice to have a bigger # display but I'm not going to pay extra.
I am a busy woman and I'm not on the phone gabbing or texting all the time-I have things to do.
I think the mobile phone companies are way off base when they think Everyone wants more data. It's just a new gadget that I and my friends and acquaintances have no need for. We are not fueled by getting the "newest" or the "better".

47.the melzer (unregistered)

Nice to hear that, since data plan can be economically more sensible than an unlimited plan. Well.. unrestricted data plans may become something of history as suppliers faze them out in favor of usage-based tiered pricing plans. Some customers are mad, believing they will have to pay more for less service. But some experts disagree, saying that limited programs are more affordable. But no matter what the case, there are several things you are able to do to conserve cash and still carry the internet inside your pocket. You may have to take out a payday loan if you don’t get these tips figured out.

All content (phone reviews, news, specs, info), design and layouts are Copyright 2001-2015 phoneArena.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form or medium without written permission is prohibited! Privacy . Terms of use . Cookies . Team